2013 Mountain West Football Picks and Predictions – Odds to Win MWC Championship 2013: The Mountain West Conference looked dead in the water a couple of years ago with powerhouses TCU and Boise State both set to jump ship. Well, the Horned Frogs did bolt for the Big 12, but the Broncos have decided to stick around. Meanwhile, last year’s newcomer Fresno State immediately made the MWC deeper, and the Bulldogs were actually part of a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference with Boise State and San Diego State. This year, the MWC is set to get even deeper with the arrival of two very successful programs in San Jose State and Utah State. Now, an already-competitive conference will feature two divisions and a title game, and there are multiple teams within the MWC that have the talent to upset teams from the power conferences. On that note, here is a closer look at how the top teams in the Mountain West stack up heading into the 2013 college football season.
The Favorites
When you have a quarterback like Derek Carr that is projected to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft like the Fresno State Bulldogs do, the foundation for a successful season is already in place. Add it six other returning starters for an offense that led the MWC in scoring last year and eight returning starters on defense, and the Bulldogs are going to be tough to stop in the West Division and in the conference in general. Even with the loss of start running back Robbie Rouse and star safety Phillip Thomas, this team is still loaded.
Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Boise State Broncos, but instead, they went 7-1 in conference play and 11-2 overall. This year, quarterback Joe Southwick will have a season’s worth of experience under his belt, and a breakout campaign is a real possibility considering how well he closed 2012. Meanwhile, a defense that allowed a conference-low 14.9 points per game last season will once again be loaded with athletic playmakers, albeit with several new faces among the starters. A rough road schedule isn’t ideal, but at the end of the day, the Broncos depth should keep them atop the Mountain Division and in contention for the conference crown.
The Other Contenders
For those that aren’t familiar with San Jose State Spartans’ quarterback David Fales, you certainly will be by the time next year’s NFL Draft rolls around. Had the Spartans played in the MWC last year, he would have led the conference in passing yards last year to go along with his ridiculous 72.5 completion percentage. His top target Noel Grigsby also returns in 2012, and the duo should have plenty of time to work their magic with four starters back on the offensive line. With only five starters returning, a defense that ranked third in the conference in fewest points allowed, the offense may have to shoulder more of the load for the Spartans to back up their 7-1 record in MWC play from 2012, but Fales is the type of difference maker that can do just that and make San Jose State a threat to win the West Division and the conference title.
Although they are newcomers to the MWC, the Utah State Aggies could make an immediate impact. After all, dual-threat quarterback Chuckie Keeton is back to lead a scoring attack that averaged more than 34 points per game in 2012, and the Aggies also welcome back their entire offensive line. Meanwhile, seven starters are back from a defense that allowed just 15.4 points per game in 2012, including all three linebackers. Utah State will have to adjust to life in a new conference, but with a game changer under center and a stingy defense, there is no reason the Aggies can’t contend in the MWC in 2013.
2013 NCAA Conference Odds – Mountain West Conference
Odds to win the Mountain West Conference – 2013 College Football
1081 Air Force +1200
1082 Boise State +175
1083 Colorado State +2500
1084 Fresno State +250
1085 Hawaii +5000
1086 Nevada +1200
1087 New Mexico +3000
1088 San Diego State +800
1089 San Jose State +1000
1090 UNLV +4000
1091 Utah State +500
1092 Wyoming +1500
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